Water-heater.



E. RUUD. WATER HEATER.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY8,1909. 1,028,284 'Patented June 4, 1912 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. RUUD. WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1909. 1,028,284.

1 Patented June 4, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. RUUD.

WATER HEATER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1909.

1,928,284. Patented June 4, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i. OSHA' i l t 1W m @fw E. RUUD. WATER HEATER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1909.

1,028,284., Patented June 4, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Y n al UNITED ,sri/trasf rafinn'r ortica 4 l EDWIN RUUD, 0F 'IEITTSIBURAI-fria,y PENNSYLVANIA.

' WATER-HEATER.

To all 'whom t may concern B e it known that 1, EDWIN RUUD, of Pittsthesame, and a fuel supply leading to the burner, with a plurality of means for con` trolling the fuel supply, one of which is controlled by lthe flow of water through the receptacle, and the other ofwhich is oper-v ated by variations of temperature in the water receptacle. The object of the structure set forth in my said patent is to avoid a waste of gas during periods in which it isv not desired to heat the water, as well as liability to damage to the' heating apparatus by the application of heat in the absence of a proper supply of water, or` by excessive application of `heat whenrthe water is not drawn from the heater, this latter undesirable condition being liable to arise by reason of the sticking of the water valve mechanismand the consequent failure of the latter to actuate the fuel valve controlled thereby to shut ott thesupply of fuel when the flow of water ceases. In the construction of my said patent, the thermostatically controlled valve cooperates with the 'watercontrolled valve, and acts to shut olf the supply of fuel whenever. the temperature in the heater rises above va predetermined de- The object of the present invention is to accomplish the above-indicated .results by the use of a single valve for. controlling the fuel supply, which valve shall be open. durl ing the time that water is beingfdrawnfrom i the receptacle, so longl as thetemperature of the water does not exceed' a predetermined degree, but which shall be closed when the temperature 'of the water reaches saidpre` vregardless of whetherV water is being drawn from the heater or not- ,By this means. the construction ofthe valve determined degree,

Specification of Letters Patent.

In U. S. Patent` No.'v

Patented J une 4L, i912.

,Application filed July 8, 1909. Serial No. 506,577.

mech'anismfor.controlling the `flow of fuel is greatly simpllfied and cheapened, without decreasing the eliciency of the device as a whole.

WithA these objects in view, generally stated, consists of a water recept-acle, such as a heating coil, provided with a suitable inlet, such as a branch from a Water main under pressure, and a suitable outlet, such as a conduit leading to an ordinaryspigot, the water in the coil being heated. by any suitable burner havin usual pilot-light or any other suitable igniting device. A fuel supply ,conduit leads to said burner; and is provided with a valve controlling the flow of a fuel, such as gas,

the invention,

through the conduit, which valve is nor- Inally held seated by a suit-able power mechthe.

anisIn, as for example, spring tension. v

Preferably two springs are employed, one a strong and the other a Aweaker spring, both of them exerting their tension in'a direction to close the fuel-valve. Acting in opposition to said power mechanism are suitable means actuated by variations of temperature in the water receptacle or heating coil, which temperature-actuated means tend to open the fuel valve whenever the temperature of the water in the heating coil is below thespredetermined temperature, but is lnot sufficient, even when the waterV inthe coil is cold, to overcome the power mechal nism (such as the two springs), which actA to hold the valve closed.

Interposed in the water supply conduit,

and preferably at or near where said conduit connects with the heating coil, there is a water motor, as for example, a -piston which, when water is being withdrawn from the heater, is shifted by the How rof the water through the conduit, and acts in opposition to the .,means-holding'said val-ve closed. For example, said water motor acts Y' to relievethe fuel valve of the tension of the stronger one of the two springs, when such are employed to 'hold-the'valve closed, and

thereupon the temperature-actuated means,

acts to open the valve in .the fuel .supply conduit, and 'permit the flow of fuel to the v burner. -.I f, d uring the time that 'water'is being drawn- -frolnthe burner, the temperatureof the -water exceeds the predeterminedl degree, the temperature-actuated means automatically decreases the power with which it acts toopen the valve, and thereupon "that increment of the valve-closing means which is not overcome by the water-actuated motor acts to close the valve, thus preventingjt-he heating of the water in the coil abovethe desired temperature. Should the wateractuated motor stick or fail to return to its normal position when the flow of water through the heater ceases, the same action as that last above described will result. That is, the rise in temperature of the water in the heater will cause the temperatureactuated means to decrease or wholly eliminate the power with which it acts to open the fuel valve, thus permitting the increment of power not opposed by the water motor to close the valve, which will then remain closed as long as the`temperature of the water in the heating coil is above the predetermined degree. l

rlhel means actuated by variations in temperature for opening the fuel valve or decreasing the application of opening power thereon, as the case may be, are preferablyin the form of a suitable thermostat which, when .the temperature of the `vwater is below the predetermined degree,

acts on the valve in a direction toy open it,

but which, when the vtemperature of the water reaches or exceeds the predetermined degree, has its power (which is directed to open the valve) removed therefrom, thus permitting the smaller increment of the closing force which is not overcome by the water motor to close the fuel valve.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expresons, one of which, for the purpose of illustrating the invention, is shown in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be taken as defining the limits of the invention, reference being had to the claims for that purpose.

In said drawlngs-Figure 1is a horizontal sectional plan of a heater and valve mechanisml embodying my invention; Fig.

'2^ is a vertical section through the heater,

parts thereof, however, being shown in elevation; Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section through the valve mechanism, the water motor and the thermostat-ic device; Fig. 4

'is'. a horizontal plan, partly in section, of

another mechanical expression of the same /inventive idea; and Fig. 5 is an end elevation j of Fig. said figure.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, 1 is the water receptacle, here shown in the form of a coil of pipe, the inlet 4 looking .from the right of end 2 of which is connected withl a valve casing, hereinafter to be described, and the 3 leading to a spigot 4, which latter is located at the point Where water is to be drawn. The receptacle or coil 1 is located in a suitable flue 5 carried by a base 6, and heated by burners 7 of any suitable construction, which burners are supplied with fuel through a branch pipe 8 leading from a valve casing 9, which casing is also connected with t-he main fuel supply conduit 10, and

has therein a fuel supply valve 11, which controls the supply of fuel'from the main 10v to the burners 7. A. pilot-light 12 is supiplied by branch pipe 13 with fuel from the part 14 of the valve stem is a loosely fitting sleeve 16, which is free to slide on the stem 14, said sleeve forming an abutment for a strong spring 17 which reacts between the sleeve 16 and a spider 18 spanning the valve opening. The tension of the spring 17 thus acts to draw the valve 11 iirmly to its seat. In addition to the spring 17, there is provided a lighter spring 19, reacting between the back of the valve 11 and the interior face of the end 20 of the valve casing, the tension of this spring also acting in a direction to close the valve 11. 1n

circuitwith the coil, and preferably form#V ing a part thereof, is an enlarged pipe 21, within which is located a thermostat, one member 22 of which has one end firmly mounted in a framework 23, the other end being free so that the member may expand or contract in response tothe variations of temperature in the water flowing through the enlarged pipe 21, which water surrounds the member 22. The other member 24 of the thermostat has its inner end secured to the interior of the free end of the member 22, and its other end projects outward and bears against a lever 25 suitably pivoted Aat 26 l to the framework of the structure.

Preferably the .bearing of the meinbgr 24 blade or arm 29, secured to lever 25 at one end, as by a screw 30, 'with its other end engaging a shoulder, here shown inthe form of a nut 31 on the end of the valve stem 32, Y

. 14 and 19, and the result is that when both of said springs are acting in the valve, said valve rema-ins'"closed, notwithstanding the tendency of the thermostat, acting through the spring blade 29, to open said valve. But whenjthe water is heated to the predetermined temperature, the tension of the ther- Inostatic spring blade 29 is wholly withdrawn from the valve, and the latter is then closed by t-he spring 19.

A conduit 34 connected to a suitable source of water under pressure, is connected at 35 ,'to a piston cylinder or casing 36, within which is located a piston 37 held in its normal position, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, by a spring 38 reacting between the left-hand end of the cylinder and the head 39 of a piston stem 40, which projects out through the left-hand casing through a suitable stufling-box v41 in alinement with a rod 42, which passes into t-h end of; the valve casing 9 through a st fling boX 43, and is connected to the sleeve 16 by means of the hollow cylindrical connection 44, which cylinder is of sufficient depth to permit the end of the valve stem 14 to have a limited amount of play therein. The piston cylinder or. casing 36 is also connected at 45 to the inlet end 2 of the heating coil 1. The piston 37 not only acts as a motor piston, but also as a valve controlling the flow of water'from the inlet 35 of the piston cylinder to the outlet 45 therelof,-this being accomplished by an annular flange 47 carried on and forming apart of the piston and interposed,between the ports 35 and 45. As here shown, the piston 37 is hollow, and ingress and egress of water within the hollow piston is permitted by reason of the port 48 formed on the heater side of the flange valve 47.

During the period when no water is being drawn vfrom the heat-er, the parts occupy the position shown in Figs. land 3, the piston 37 holding the valve 47 in a position to cut off the flow of water from the main 34 to vthe coil 1. .When, however, water is withdrawn from the coil, as through the spigot 4, the pressure of the water in the supply conduit 34 shifts the piston 37, and with -it the valve 47, tothe left, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, thus permitting a vfree' flow of water water through end of the piston cylinder or.

fill

through the pistoncylinder 36 and through the heating coil. This shifting of the piston from right to left causes the piston rod 40 to contact with the rod 42, and force it to the left against the tension of the spring 17, thereby relieving the valve 11 of the' tension of said spring 17, whereupon the spring blade 29, which is held under tension by the thermostat, shifts the valve from right to left against the tension of the lighter spring 19, and thus opens the valve and permits the flow of fuel to t-heburner. The flow of p the heating coil being stopped, as by closing the spigot, and the water pressure on the opposite sides of the piston 37 becoming balanced, the piston is returned to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 by the spring 38, and at the initiation of its return movement, also by the tension of the spring 17. The sleeve 16 being relieved of the pressure due to the pistoni, is then shifted from leftvto right, and contacting with the nut 15 on the stem 14, acts to add the tension of the fspring 17 to that of the spring 19, and thereby overcome the tension of the thermostatic blade spring 29 and close the valve 11. If, when the flow of water through the heating coil is stopped,

the 'piston valve 37-47 should fail to respond to the action of the piston spring 38 and returnto its normal position, the ovv of fuel to the burners would continue, since the valve 11. would be held open, and there would be danger that the water in the coils (which are necessarily very thin in order to permit quick heating) would be heated above the desired temperature and exert an internal pressure on the coil, liable to burst the same,'unless meanswere provided for shutting off the flow of fuel to the burner. When, howeven, the temperature Aof the Water in the heating coil rises above a predetermined degree, the thermostat acts to relieve the pressure on the lever 25, and hence Withdraw the opening pressure which the same exertsjthrough the spring blade 29 on the valve stem 32, thus leaving the light spring 19 free to close the valve.v

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, wherein there is illustrated another mechanical expression Aof the same inventive,i'dea, the piston cylinder 36, together with the inlets and outlets and the combined valve and piston therein,

are the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The piston stem 40 projects'from the end of the piston casing in close juxtaposition to a lever arm 49 keyed to a shaft 50 passing through valve casing 51, which shaft within the valve casing 51, two arms 52 and 53, which engage trunnions on opposite sidesl of a sleeve 54 surrounding the valve stem 55 ofthe fuel valve 56. Formed on the interior of the sleeve 54 is an annular shoulder 57, which forms a seat for the strong spring 58 50 has keyed to it,,

reacting between said seat and the end 59 of the valve casing. Also surrounding the valve stem 55, and within the spring 58, is the light spring 60, reacting between the valve 56 and the end59 of the valve casing. The valve stem 55 projects out through the end 59 of the casing, and is engaged by the spring blade 29 of the thermostatic lever 25, as in the construction shown in.Figs. l and 3, the said spring blade 29 tending to open the valve 20 with power suiicient t-o overcome the light spring 60, but yielding to the combined tension of the springs 58 and 60.

Then water is being drawn through the heating coil, Jthe piston rod 40 moves from left to right inv Fig. 4, thereby actuating the lever arm 49, and through it the sleeve 54, so as to relieve the valve 56 of the tension of the strong spring 5S, whereupon the tension of the thermostatic spring blade Q9 overcomes the tension of the spring 60 and opens the valve 56. The operation of the parts in other respects is identical with 'that described in connection with Figs. l

and 3. I

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a water heater wherein a single valve controls the flow of fuel to the burner, with power mechanism normally holding said valve closed, which power mechanism, when it is desired to open the valve, is overcome partly by devices operated by the flow of water through theheater, and partly by the thermostatic apparatus. Furthermore, it will be perceived that in case the devices operated by the iow of water through the heater should stick or fail-to operate to permit that portion of the power mechanism controlled by it to act on the valve when the iow of water through the heater is discontinued, .the thermostatic and this is accomplished by a simplified ap# paratus, little liable to get out of order, and cheaply constructed.

What I claim is :-A

l. In a water heater,.the combination of a conduit for water under pressure, a burner for heating the water in said conduit, al

valve controlling 'the flow of fuel to .said burner, power mechanism in the form of two springs normally holding said Valve' closed, a device operated against the tension of one of said springs by the flow of water thro-ugh said conduit, and a thermostat opening the said valve against the tension of the other of said springs when the temperature of the water-is below a predetermined degree.

2. In a water heater, the combination of a water receptacle, a burner, a fuel supply conduit, a valve in said conduit, thermostatic means normally tending to open-said valve, a power device closing said valve in opposition to said thermostatic means, and mechanism actuated by the flow of water through said receptacle and in part overcoming said powei device, whereby said thermostatic means overcomes the remaining part of said power device and opens said valve.

3. In a water heater, the combination of a water receptacle, a burner, a fuel supply conduit, a valve in said conduit, thermostatic means normally tending to open said valve, a compound power device closing said Valve in opposition to said thermostatic means, and mechanism actuated by the iiow of water through said receptacle and over-V coming one part of said compound power device, whereby said thermostatic means overcomes the remaining part of said power device and opens said valve.

4. In a water heater, the combination of `a water receptacle, a burner, a fuel supply conduit, a valve in said conduit, thermostatic means normally tending to open said valve, a plurality of springs-acting to close said valve in opposition to said thermostatic means, and mechanism actuated by the flow of water through said receptacle and relieving said Valve of the tension of .one of said springs, whereby the thermostatic means is enabled to vovercome the other spring and open said valve. f

5. In a water heater, the combination of a water receptacle having an inlet and an outlet, a burner for heating the same, a fuel supply conduit leading to said burner, a valve controlling said conduit, thermostatic means tending to open said valve when the water in said receptacle is below a predetermined temperature, compound. powery mechanlsm overcommg said thermostat1cmeans and normally holding said valve closed, and a motor actuated by the flow of water through said receptacle and overcoming one increment of said compound power `mechanism, whereby the remaining increment of said power mechanism 1s overcome by said thermostatic means and the valve opened thereby.

6. In a water'heater, the-combination of a water receptacle, a burner for heating the water therein, `a valve controlling the flow of fuel to said burner, two springs acting on said Valve to hold it closed, means specification in the presence of two subscribtuated by the flow of Water through v,the ing Witnesses. heater in opposition toone of said springs,

v and a thermostatic device opening the said EDWIN RUUD 5 Valve against the tension of the other Vitnesses:

spring. E. E. BELL,

In testimony whereof I have signed this A. C. WAY. 

